EU to restart gas talks with Russia, Ukraine

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker speaks to journalists as he arrives ahead of the European Council Summit at the European Union (EU) Headquarters in Brussels on February 12, 2015. (AFP Photo / Thierry Charlier) / AFP

The European Commission (EC) will resume energy talks with Russia and Ukraine in hope of avoiding gas problems during the winter of 2015, EC President Jean-Claude Juncker told journalists.

Russia’s s gas delivery on credit to Ukraine ceased in mid-June,
and the taps were only turned back on in mid-December. Deliveries
resumed after Ukraine began paying off some of the $5 billion
owed to Gazprom.

Ukraine's gas import monopoly, Naftogaz, has paid off $3.1
billion in in two large tranches in November and December
respectively.